"Live The Dream"

Touma winced as he heard a loud crash from the kitchen. He sighed and placed his book on his lap. He sat in silence for a few moments before he cleared his throat and called out, "Saki! What are you doing in there?"

"Nooothing!" a small child’s voice hollered from the kitchen.

"Hmm... Really?"

Touma put his book aside and stood from the sofa. He walked into the kitchen and discovered a mess on the tile floors. Store bought cookies scattered along the ground, accompanied with torn pieces of wrapping paper. Just a few inches away sat an overturned plastic bowl and a cute but mischievous looking three-year-old.

Touma stepped over the litter of chocolate chip cookies and kneeled beside his spiky haired son. Saki, who expected punishment, closed his eyes and squeezed his little fists tight, prepared for the consequences. Yet to his surprise, nothing bad happened. Instead, Touma patted the top of his head.

"You're not hurt, are you?" Touma asked him softly. "Here let's see.” Touma pulled Saki to his lap and carefully inspected him for any signs of injury. “I can't find any cuts or bruises. Looks like you'll be just fine."

"I'm sorry," Saki apologized as he opened his eyes and relaxed his hands. He smiled up at Touma. "I was just trying to reach the cookies. I know Seiji-papa said no cookies until after dinner but I was really hungry."

"You could've asked me and I would've fixed you something," Touma replied as he started scooping the fallen cookies and putting them back into the bowl. "Next time you just have to ask. Sound all right, Saki?"

"Okay, Touma-papa!" Saki said happily as he helped him clean the floors. It was only a matter of time before the kitchen was tidy once more. Touma and Saki washed their hands and went back into the living room. Touma settled back into his seat while Saki found himself a spot by the tea table just a few feet away.

As Touma retrieved his book, he cast a quick glance at his son. He smiled as he watched him take out pieces of paper and crayons. Saki sat motionless with a blue crayon in one hand and a green crayon in the other. Seconds later he placed his blue crayon on the paper and began to draw something. With his other hand, he drew on the same piece of paper.

I wish I were ambidextrous, Touma thought as he marveled at his son's natural talent. He often wondered how in the world Saki developed such a skill. Had it been something his natural mother or father acquired at his age?

The front door opened and Saki immediately dropped both crayons. He jumped to his feet and raced to the door. Just as Seiji stepped inside, Saki threw his tiny arms around his legs and hugged him tight.

"Hi, Seiji-papa!" he squealed. "Welcome home!"

Seiji lowered his kendo gear to the ground and scooped Saki into his arms, returning his embrace. "Have you been good for Touma-papa today?" he asked.

Saki nodded as he was put down. He clasped his hands behind his back and stood on his tiptoes. "We saw Grampy-Genchirou in his lamamatory!" he stated proudly.

"'Laboratory,'" Touma corrected as he approached Seiji. He wrapped his arms around his lover and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. "Dad invited us over and showed off the lectures he's going to present tomorrow morning. After that we managed to drag him out of the apartment for ice cream and soda."

"That's good to hear," said Seiji as he held Touma in his arms. Saki leaned forward and gently tugged on Seiji's pant leg. He wrinkled his nose and sneezed.

"Seiji-papa smells," the little boy coughed.

Seiji cleared his throat while Touma laughed. The blue haired man pulled away and chuckled. "Yeah, I guess your kendo students were a little more rough today?"

"The national competition are next week," Seiji said as he placed his kendo gear in the closet. "My students are eager to go but they still need more practice."

"Wow," Touma said in awe as he and Saki sat on the sofa. "It must be exciting to know that one of your kendo students may become number one in all of Japan."

"We'll see."

"And me and Touma-papa get to watch!" Saki shouted as he kicked his legs back and forth. He leaned against Touma and wiggled his toes stretched out before him. "'Cause you said we can come and watch, huh?"

The blonde smiled affectionately at his son and nodded. "That's right," he said, "you two will be with me." Always.

"You're too quiet," Touma whispered. "Even for someone like you."

"Huh?"

Seiji covered Saki with the Yu-Gi-Oh bed sheets and stood beside the bed. His sharp, pale eyes were fixed protectively upon the child. His son's small chest rose and fell with each breath he took. Seiji was absorbed in watching Saki that he almost didn't feel Touma's slender arms wrap around him from behind.

Touma rested his chin on Seiji's shoulder as he gently squeezed his lover's frame. "What are you thinking about?" he asked the blonde in a hushed tone.

"If the three of us could live like this forever," Seiji answered softly, almost dreamily, "I would think it would be a dream come true."

Touma blinked curiously. "Seiji?”

"This peace won't last forever,” Seiji spoke grimly. “The fighting will always come back. No matter how long of a break we take from it, it will return to us when we least expect it."

"I know," Touma sighed. "Our fate as Samurai Troopers definitely makes it a challenge. No matter what, though, we will make sure Saki grows up happy and normal."

Seiji bowed his head and held his breath as Saki turned to his side, his back facing him and Touma. The blonde sighed and leaned back into Touma's arms, his eyes now fixed upon the ceiling. "I still remember," he murmured, "when I thought it was foolish to remain friends with you and the others after Arago's first defeat. Being with you guys would only bring more fighting. But no matter who I was with or where I, there will always be a war. The armor gears and the demons made it impossible to lead normal lives."

"You just don't want Saki to have to go through what we've gone through, right?" Touma inquired in a gentle tone. "Seiji, I know how you feel. I worry about that everyday. Evil's out there somewhere, just waiting to be unleashed... The Samurai Troopers will be there to stop it. It's our destiny. But you know that we will do everything we can to protect our son."

"Yeah, I figured as much. I must sound silly saying these things. It's unlike me."

"You're human, Seiji. You're also a loving and caring father for Saki."

"Mmm."

Careful not to break Touma's hold, Seiji turned around and faced his lover. His eyes drifted shut as he brushed his lips against Touma's. Touma closed his eyes and gratefully returned the favor. Long minutes passed before the two broke away from one another.

Touma grinned bashfully. Seiji, ever remaining his cool, simply smirked. He and Touma looked down at Saki, their hands linked together.

"Until it's time to fight again," Touma said softly, "we will live this dream."

Seiji nodded. "I don't want to wake up from this dream anytime soon."

The End